Peach-Cardamom Frozen Yogurt

It’s Monday and I know many of you are dragging your feet a little bit. It’s hard to get back into the weekly grind after what was a beautiful weekend in my part of the world. But because I love you I want to make things a little easier this morning. Or at least a little tastier! We don’t start school until next week so to celebrate what is our last week of summer, I’m inviting you to an ice cream party. A virtual one that is! Becky of Project Domestication and Lindsey of Cafe Johnsonia are hosting an online frozen treat social and what better way to end the summer than share a recipe for one of my favorite things, Ice cream!!

I wasn’t sure if I should call this ice cream or frozen yogurt. Because, really, it’s a little bit of both. Fro-cream? Ice-yogurt? Yeah, neither of those work. It has all the richness and creaminess of ice cream thanks to a little bit of heavy cream but the bulk of this frozen treat is made from fat free greek yogurt. I think it tastes more like frozen yogurt than a rich ice cream so in the end I went with fro-yo. The greek yogurt is just tart enough and it’s an awesome balance to the super sweet peaches. I went with a local honey to sweeten my base. My peaches were super sweet already so I didn’t add too much. Just enough to enhance the delicious base.

As much as I wanted to add some almond extract (another beautiful pairing with peaches), I held back at the last minute and opted for just a little bit of vanilla extract. I really wanted the cardamom to be up and front and if I’d added the almond, I think it would have overpowered the frozen yogurt. Cardamom has a unique flavor that is somewhere along the lines of a smokey cinnamon. (sort of) It’s kind of tough to explain so forgive me if I’m having a hard time trying to describe it. I use it more in sweet dishes than I do in savory though I know it’s a common ingredient in Indian cooking. Trust me when I tell you that it pairs perfectly with peaches. In fact, the first time I remember trying cardamom was at a summer baby shower where the hostess had sprinkled a touch of brown sugar and cardamom over a bowl of raspberries and peaches. It was so darn good, I started using the spice soon after and never looked back.

I am in love with my new Cuisinart Ice Cream Maker. I can whip up a batch of this in no time! Hope you all have a great week and be sure to check out all the other ice cream madness from these wonderful ladies:

Ingredients:

Directions:

Put all ingredients in the blender and pulse until smooth. Transfer peach mixture to a covered bowl and refrigerate for at least 1 hour or until cold. When ready to make, transfer ice cream base to your ice cream maker and follow directions for your machine. Mine took just over 20 minutes. Serve immediately for soft serve or transfer to an air tight container and freezer until firm.

Kelly, this looks perfect! I love cardamom so much. And brilliant with the honey, yogurt and peaches. I think I’m going to make this right now, as a girl can never have too much frozen yogurt in her life.

Kelley! I love everything about this recipe. I still remember the first time I tried cardamom. Life changing for sure. I’ve never had it with peaches and will have to make this soon. And seriously cool combo of cream and yogurt.

I am right there with you on the peaches and cardamom pairing. Hands down one of the best flavors of late summer. I keep telling my husband that I need an ice cream maker to play with and this recipe may be the catalyst that makes it happen.

I’m in love with peaches this year and I’ve been trying to make all sorts of things! I like the fact that you use yogurt for a bit of zing and cardamom for a tiny hint of smokiness. Caramel and chocolate occupy a bit place in my heart, but sometimes I also need something that’s not too sweet and more refreshing. I have a feeling your fro-yo would hit the spot!